Extensive research on yeasts in the former Czechoslovakia at the beginning of 60s, and the great success of the First International Symposium on Yeasts in Smolenice, resulted in the establishment of the Czechoslovak Commission on Yeasts, part of the Czechoslovak Society for Microbiology, in 1964. From the beginning, the Commission has focused on the organization of Annual Conferences on Yeasts, mainly for Slovak and Czech researchers from various research institutions, universities and industry. However, over the years, the conferences have developed into international meetings of renowned scientists in the fields of the molecular and cell biology of yeasts, the biotechnology of yeasts, and the yeast diversity and interactions. The Annual Conference on Yeasts (ACY) is one of the oldest scientific events in Slovakia and Europe.

The conference has been regularly held in the Congress Centre of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in the beautiful Smolenice Castle, located in the Little Carpathians (about 50 km from the capital city Bratislava). The splendid interiors of the castle and the beautiful natural surroundings contribute to a relaxing atmosphere at the meetings and provide a lot of space for informal and stimulating discussions of scientists. Thanks to the speakers, friendly atmosphere and unique location, the yeast conference is also exciting for students and young scientists. Especially for young scientists, the attendance at the conference is a great opportunity to present and discuss their work with renowned scientists. I am confident that participants will not only learn a great deal at the conference, but also improve, and add to, their network contacts in the scientific community, thereby promoting further collaborations across both cultures and nations.

I hope that you will enjoy the time at the conference and find it beneficial to you.

Milan Čertík, chairman
on behalf of the Organizing Committee